Caramel Apple Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/3 cups brown sugar -- firmly packed
1 egg
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup grated peeled apples
1 cup light raisins
1/2 cup apple juice
1 cup chopped walnuts
Caramel Icing:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar -- firmly packed
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons dairy half-and-half or light cream

Cream shortening, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. When well blended, stir in remaining ingredients, except icing. Drop by level tablespoonfuls 3-in. apart onto greased baking sheet. Bake in moderate oven (350') about 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove cookies and cool on racks. When cool, spread with Caramel Icing.

Caramel Icing: Combine butter and brown sugar in saucepan; cook until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add confectioners sugar, salt and half-and-half; beat until smooth. (If frosting becomes too thick when spreading on cookies, thin it by adding a little more cream.)

Yield: 4 dozen